The Washington Commanders kicked off their preseason today with a matchup against the New York Jets, marking the NFL debut of second overall draft pick Jayden Daniels. And boy, did he impress during his brief appearance.
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Daniels played only one drive but showcased the talent that earned him the Heisman Trophy in college. He completed 2-of-3 passes for 48 yards and even rushed for a touchdown, finishing with an impressive passer rating of 109.7.
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One highlight moment came when Daniels connected on a deep pass to wide receiver Dyami Brown, demonstrating his strong arm right off the bat.
On his rushing touchdown, Daniels displayed the elusiveness that made him a standout in college. He executed an option play flawlessly, faking a handoff before sprinting into the end zone.
The Commanders have been yearning for a dynamic quarterback like Daniels since the days of Robert Griffin III. While they’ve had competent play from other quarterbacks, Daniels’ dual-threat capability sets him apart.
Prior to the game, Jets head coach Robert Saleh praised Daniels, revealing that the Jets had high regard for him in the draft process. “I know they love him,” Saleh mentioned. “He’s an impressive kid. Our team thought very highly of him, so the Commanders got a great player.”
Last season at LSU, Daniels amassed 3,812 passing yards and 40 touchdowns while rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was a game-changer, consistently electrifying fans, even when his defense faltered.
Despite just one drive in this preseason opener, Daniels has injected fresh hope into Washington’s future. He is set to be the franchise quarterback, with plenty of room to learn and develop throughout the season.
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